Running Places

 
Most runners know the obvious places to run, such as around White Rock Lake in Dallas and the Trinity Park trails in Fort Worth. However, there are numerous other places, and I'll constantly be updating this page to include them. If anyone has a favorite place to submit, please e-mail me at admin@clinesrunningcorner.com and I'll include it on the site. All these sites will have more detail in future postings.
White Rock Lake, Dallas (map)
Runners and walkers share the lake with numerous cyclists, but the 9-mile, plus change, trek around the lake is a good training location. It's scenic, has plenty of shade and there's never a lack for company. And if adventurous, there are nearby neighborhoods to visit. Water fountains are handy for those who don't carry water bottles, and there are some restrooms. Cross County Club of Dallas conducts many runs at White Rock.
Trinity Park Trails, Fort Worth (map)
This trail system continues to grow and, according to information on the city's website, the trail is 27.2 miles. Many runners hop on the trails in the Overton Park area, or just off University Dr. But there are numerous places where runners, walkers and cyclists can enter. There are just enough ups and downs to keep it interesting and much of the trail follows the Trinity River. Some parts of the trail are shady and some are not. Some water fountains and restrooms available. One of the best new additions is the crushed limestone trail inside Trinity Park. This surface eases much of the pounding received when on the cement trails. Wish more new trails would use this surface. The Fort Worth Runners Club conducts most of its runs on the trails.
River Legacy Park, Arlington (map)
Trails here are nice and shady. And the trail system is expanding. Good place to hang out in the summer.
Bear Creek Park, Keller (map)
About half of the trail system is shady. Many trees. From the park, runners can go out-and-back on the mostly east and west trails. The east trail provides the most shade and is the most scenic.
Mineral Wells Trail (map) 
This place to run was submitted by MaryLou VandeRiet of Weatherford. I've been to these trails, and they are, as she says, a great place to run. Here is what she says: It is 22 miles long, goes from Weatherford to Mineral Wells. A great place to walk, run or cycle. Close encounters include coyotes, armadillos, horse flies, mosquitoes, bobcats, rabbits, deer, turkey and pleasant scenery. Gorgeous wildflowers. You will hear the roar of a train, horses whinnying (horses are allowed on the trail), hawks screeching, owls hooting, cows mooing and turkeys gobbling. Sometimes you will hear nothing but wind. The trail is covered by fine gravel, and occasionally you will have to dodge horse do-do, branches and washouts. No cars or trucks allowed, except for occasional game warden. Passes are $25 for a year, $40 for a family. I agree with her that it's difficult to find as nice a place anywhere in the Metroplex. I never encountered any bad stuff when I rode it on a bike. With tall trees on both sides of most of the trail, there is plenty of shade. You feel secluded, though there are a few intersections that must be crossed, but they are few and far between.
Trails of Grapevine (map)
The trails are approximately 26 miles, including hard and soft surfaces. Plans are for the trails to be 34 miles within the city limits. It will link nine parks that total more than 800 acres. The trail also will connect with schools, churches, golf courses, downtown and businesses, such as Opryland, D/FW Lakes Hilton and Grapevine Mills Mall, according to the city's website. Much of the trails make runners, walkers or bikers seem isolated from urban life. Lots of trees and shade. Bikers and runners enjoy some of the more rugged trails.
Katy Trail, Dallas (map)
The web site for the Katy Trail describes the route that's for runners, cyclists and walkers. It says: This is a for bikers and walkers (and is) the crucial centerpiece of the region's planned network of bike trails. Eventually, the Trail will extend its reach more than 17 miles by linking the city's two most important trail systems -- White Rock Creek to the northeast and Trinity River to the southwest. The Katy Trail can serve as a model for the innovative public and private partnerships that will make the regional plan a reality. The Friends of the Katy Trail has developed a Master Plan to create a 12-foot-wide, 3.5-mile concrete trail with a parallel 8-foot-wide, 3.1-mile soft-surface trail. The Katy Trail will provide connections to three major areas: the American Airlines Center and the West End at the south end of the Trail, Stemmons Park near the Infomart, and the Mockingbird DART station at the north end. The Trail will feature four major entrance plazas, seven stair entrances, and an additional seven wheelchair accessible entrances. The Master Plan developed by the Friends of the Katy Trail also includes plans to install lighting, landscape with native trees and plants, and provide educational and informational signs.
Overton Park area (map)
Gary Stevenson, who has helped design the routes for The Cowtown races, suggests this place for runners seeking a leg-friendly surface:

Starting in front of Tanglewood Elementary at 3060 Overton Park West in southwest Fort Worth, proceed north on the park grass to Hartwood. Turn right on Hartwood and go across Overton Park East to Pebble Brook, where you stay on the grass and pick up a concrete bike path. This goes south to Glenwood. Staying on the grass beside the bike path, go to Shady Brook. Turn south on the bike path, which runs parallel to Overton Park East. This goes to a water fountain at Overton Park East and Bellaire. Cross Bellaire, staying on the bike path. This takes you across Ranchview and to a footbridge just north of the entrance to Foster Park. Cross over the bridge and turn north on Overton West, temporarily running on the street. After about 200 yards, get back on the grass and go north across Ranchview and Bellaire, winding up in front of Tanglewood Elementary. The round trip, Gary says, is about 99 percent on grass and about 3.6 miles.